Quote:
Originally Posted by Rathji
Just some random thoughts on the 302, although I am pretty sure the concepts could be applied to some other BRT lines.
When the SE BRT first started I was expecting a lot less stops. When I started taking it in November last year, I was really startled that it stopped so much. Now after taking it for a year or so, I really think they should cut out 1/3 to 1/2 of the stops and encourage people to drive and park at the existing Mackenzie Town and Douglas Glen lots.
Then they should add a parking lot in the Ogden Area, north of 69th avenue in the old (and currently unused) train yard parking, where there will almost certainly be a further CTrain station or near the ball diamonds. You could also add parking along the northern end of Ogden Rd, across from the Rona or maybe more towards Inglewood near the Shamrock or the flea market.
At the same time they should add in short route buses which sole purpose is feeding these 302 bus stops at a couple points. For example, have a 302 stop at the Mackenzie Towne parking, and another one at 130th. Then have small buses running through Prestwick, Elgin, Copperfield, New Brighton to feed those 2 stops. If you do this right, you could eliminate the demand for the multiple express buses because the 302 line would be nearly as fast but serving multiple communities at the same time, and it would be more revenue neutral. Except it might need more big buses for the 302 line and more smaller buses for the feeder lines.
It would require some land to build parking and the right mixture of vehicles or course. I guess the basic thought I had is that the BRT should mimic what the LRT would do. Big buses running every 5-10 minutes and stopping infrequently to move people long distances.
Maybe my thoughts are out to lunch.
|
There is no Park N' Ride lot slated for the station immediately north of 69th Avenue. However, there is one for the Lynnview Station as well as the Shepard Station. The idea behind the BRT is to mimic the future LRT service with stops roughly where future stations will be. Also, the Park N' Rides are being built partially to service the BRT, but also to get a head start on the eventual LRT construction.
From
here
As for the rest of your post, some good thoughts. The SE BRT has had some struggles and some issues with operation. However, I think it is slowly becoming a success. More feeder routes would be good, but the big limiting factor is the budgeted service hours.
Unfortunately, the SE BRT will struggle to be as naturally popular as the route 301 West and North route is because the SE is harder to serve with a bus link to downtown simply due to geography and layout. It still should be a busy route though.
On the BRT note, I was thinking of including a section in the first post about other BRT lines that may be in the offing. There's been talk of ones going down Elbow Drive, 14th Street SW and serving the airport (this will happen). Also, MRU will see two new BRT routes when the West LRT opens. One will make a partial loop from Westbrook Station - MRU - Heritage Station, and one will go to and from downtown. There's also the route 305 serving Forest Lawn and Bowness via downtown that started up last year. However, I'm rapidly approaching the character limit for that post and I probably won't be able to add much more to it.